Albert Pike was another larger-than-life character who should be included in the discussion, primarily for his role at Pea Ridge, the majority of his time being spent in the Indian Territory.

As a field commander, Pike was an absolute zero. His value lay in his rapport with the Indian nations in the I.T. Pike was one of the few Civil War leaders who understood, valued and respected the Indians. Too many leaders had a paternalistic attitude, at best, or an antagonistic attitude, at worst. It was largely due to Pike that the majority of the Indians in the I.T. signed on early with the Confederacy, and remained loyal to the end.

But Pike was a loose cannon as far as the Confederate government was concerned, and he had a tendency to take things as a personal affront. He only lasted about 18 months before resigning.